On May 22, the Tacoma AGO chapter gathered in Lagerquist Hall at Pacific Lutheran University for the final meeting of the season to hear students of Jonathan Wohlers in an end-of-the-year recital.
Amy Castle, the 2016-2017 winner of the Tacoma AGO Scholarship, opened the program with the Prelude and Fugue in C Minor of J. S. Bach, BWV 549. Other students followed, with works of Brahms, David Dahl, Langlais, and Bach. The students included Charles Reinmuth (Music Education), Wendell Brunk (Nursing), Jayden Sparhawk (English), and Christopher Warren (Music).
Dr. Wohlers is the Director of Music at Trinity Lutheran Church and has been serving as Acting University Organist at Pacific Lutheran University while Paul Tegels has been on sabbatical.
Reception after Student Recital
Many thanks to Karen Bredberg for coordinating the food for a reception following the recital!
David Dahl has just released a new album entitled “David Dahl in Concert.” Recorded on the Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Organ in Lagerquist Hall at Pacific Lutheran University, the album features music of Alexandre Guilmant, William Russell, Hans Olav Lien, Robert Schumann, César Franck, and Louis Vierne.
The first piece, Guiltmant’s Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 42, was originally written for organ solo but later arranged for organ and orchestra by the composer. Its rebirth features organ about 80% of the time, with interesting use of tone color and interplay with the orchestra. The Pacific Lutheran University Orchestra, directed by Jerry Kracht, joins David in this impressive performance, sounding much more like an established city orchestra than student players.
Perhaps the most unusual work in this set is by a contemporary Norwegian composer–Nordlyskatedralen: “The Cathedral of the Northern Lights” by Hans Olav Lien. In his program notes, David writes that this movement from a larger work “evokes the mystery of the subtle flickering of the Northern Lights, including the occasional wild display of color.”
From Norway, David makes a brief stop in Germany for one of the six fugues composed by Robert Schumann on the letters BACH, then on to France for two virtuosic romantic works–Choral No. 3 in A Minor by César Franck and Carillon de Westminster, Op. 54, No. 6 by Louis Vierne.
Paul Fritts
This recording is a superb display of the power, versatility, and breadth of this landmark instrument–Opus 18 of the Paul Fritts Company, built in 1999. It is intended to serve as a tribute to David’s contributions to the organ world and to celebrate this majestic instrument and its builders. Both David Dahl and Paul Fritts are members of the Tacoma Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
I have made few recordings, so I am especially pleased that this one will serve as a reminder to the future that I walked this earth and played with passion. –David Dahl
This recording was produced and mastered by Roger Sherman from recordings made in 1999 and 2005. It is available for purchase ($12.98) and download from The Gothic Catalog.
On Sunday, April 9, Tacoma AGO member Curt Sather played the final recital in the 2016-2017 Richard D. Moe Organ Series. The program featured a number of large and difficult works, including Mendelssohn, Bach, Franck, Dupré, and Widor. The audience responded enthusiastically to this fine performance.
Following the recital, David Dahl and Loi Le hosted a wine and cheese reception for members in their home. It would be difficult to choose a winner between the culinary talent and the gardening talent on display. Many thanks to Loi and David for hosting this chapter event!
The concert program, including program notes, is attached.
On April 1, a beautiful Spring Saturday afternoon, members of the Tacoma chapter, Seattle chapter, and guests gathered in the suburbs of Roy, WA to see and hear Pasi Opus 26, a 2-manual 19-stop organ to be delivered later this year to Grace Episcopal Church in Holland, MI. Martin Pasi graciously welcomed the audience and introduced the organ, which is temporarily assembled in a large, high-ceilinged room in the Pasi shop.
Paul Tegels performs a demonstration recital
Paul Tegels, organist at Pacific Lutheran University, performed a demonstration recital, featuring works of Bach, Scheidemann, Krebs, Walond, and Kittel.
Several people sat down and tried the organ while the group enjoyed a beautiful spread of wine, cheese, fruit, and the blonde brownies for which Barbara Pasi is famous!
A reminder that we have not one but two AGO events for the month of April. On Saturday April 1 from 2-5 pm, you are invited to visit the shop of organ builder Martin Pasi to see how he and his team produce their finely crafted instruments. They are showcasing his latest organ (Pasi Op 26), a two manual 19-stop organ that is scheduled for delivery to Grace Episcopal Church in Holland, MI later this month. Martin opened his shop in 1990. It is located at 32215 8th Avenue South in Roy, Washington 98580. The public is welcome to this event, so bring your friends!
Just a week later on Sunday April 9 at 3 pm, we are treated to Curt Sather’s Lagerquist recital, and a reception to follow at the Parkland home of David Dahl. Please join us for both of these exciting events!
